It's a grey and quiet morning, my family is still sleeping and I've been enjoying the silence while painting on this Family Day morning, though I do tend to miss them if they sleep in too long.This week was a bit of a challenge to get my 52 Weeks Project piece completed...and I have to say I'm thankful for a deadline or else it may not have been finished. It's interesting for me to see how these animals have become so important to me at this time and I'm curious to see if they will continue or if my attention will be drawn elsewhere. I always find it amusing how owls are supposed to be so intelligent and wise and yet they are quite funny looking with their big googley eyes. Wisdom seems to be connected to stillness, and I'm not certain if that is always true. I tend to think it may be more about the peace felt, a sense of contentment with the choices made in life.The great horned owl has huge talons along with a five foot wingspan and can fly faster than an eagle. He teaches us clarity and patience, to wait for the right moment in order to move forward. It is in paying attention that we learn to trust our inner wisdom. The great horned owl offers insight into the shadow self. It symbolizes feminine power, is the extractor of secrets, and the harbinger of new cycles.I was never an animal painter though I have always had a cat or dog in our home, and at one time also a goat and horse. I did once contribute to a horse mural (panel 228 at the bottom - click on it to view it larger and read my inspiration) and painted a picture of our old basset hound, but was never drawn to painting them otherwise so this has been quite a surprise to me. And finally, the work is complete for my opening at Bluerock Gallery on March 9 in Black Diamond. It's a fabulous space filled with the most beautiful art and crafts. Definitely worth the trip.